Huli Huli Chicken Recipe: The Ultimate Hawaiian Grilled Chicken

If you’re craving a delicious and smoky dish that’s packed with bold flavors, this Huli Huli Chicken recipe is exactly what you need. A classic Hawaiian favorite, Huli Huli Chicken is known for its sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky marinade that perfectly complements juicy, tender chicken.

This recipe is simple to prepare and impresses both family and friends. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to recreate the authentic taste of Hawaii with easy-to-find ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Get ready to elevate your next meal with this mouthwatering, crowd-pleasing chicken dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts or cozy dinners.

Recipe Information

• Serves: 4-6 people
• Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 2-4 hours marinating time)
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 3-5 hours
• Difficulty Level: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

What sets this version apart is the depth of flavor achieved through the marinade – the pineapple juice not only adds sweetness but also acts as a natural tenderizer, resulting in incredibly juicy chicken every time.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, preparing a weeknight dinner, or looking to transport your family to a Hawaiian paradise, this dish delivers every single time. Plus, the marinade can be prepared days ahead, making it perfect for meal planning.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Gas or charcoal grill
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Large resealable plastic bags or shallow dish for marinating
• Tongs for grilling
• Meat thermometer
• Small saucepan (for reducing marinade)
• Basting brush

Other Delicious Recipes –

• Creamy Greek Chicken Pasta: A Mediterranean Comfort Dish
• Southern-Style Smothered Chicken Breasts: Tender, Juicy & Flavor-Packed
• Fluffy Vegan Banana Muffins: A Guilt-Free Sweet Treat
• Hearty Vegan Sweet Potato Chili: Cozy, Flavorful & Protein-Packed

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 3 lbs chicken thighs and drumsticks (bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Huli Huli Marinade/Sauce:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Preparing the Marinade

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, honey, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper until well combined.
2. Reserve 1 cup of marinade in a separate container and refrigerate – this will be used for basting and serving.

Marinating the Chicken

3. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and place in a large resealable bag or shallow dish.
4. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
5. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6 hours for maximum flavor.

Grilling the Chicken

6. Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling to bring to room temperature.
7. Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-375°F). Clean and oil the grates.
8. Remove chicken from marinade and discard used marinade. Pat chicken lightly with paper towels.
9. Grill chicken skin-side down for 6-8 minutes, then flip and continue grilling for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
10. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, begin basting with the reserved marinade every 3-4 minutes.
11. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.

Making the Sauce

12. While chicken is grilling, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
13. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Serving

14. Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
15. Brush with the reduced marinade sauce and garnish with chopped green onions.
16. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.

Pro Tips for Perfect Huli Huli Chicken

• Don’t skip the marinating time – the longer you marinate, the more flavorful your chicken will be
• Use a meat thermometer – this ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time
• Keep the grill at medium heat – too high and you’ll burn the sugars in the marinade
• Let it rest – allowing the chicken to rest after grilling helps redistribute the juices

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Nutritional values are approximate and based on a 6-serving portion

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

This Huli Huli Chicken recipe brings the authentic taste of Hawaii to your dinner table. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, along with the tender, juicy texture, makes it a memorable meal that your family and friends will be asking for again and again. Fire up that grill and get ready to experience a little taste of paradise!